CASA Talk

On this mini-episode, host Hope Dunbar, reflects on all the cool things and reminds listeners that CASA's fall fundraising campaign ends Dec. 1st and so there's still time to donate by going to www.mightycause.com/story/CASAforeverykid

In this week's episode of "CASA Talk," Hope talks to Nebraska CASA Executive Director, Corrie Kielty about the day to day challenges of helping child victims of abuse and neglect, the history of foster care in Nebraska and how one volunteer can be what changes a child's story forever. It was really a pleasure to have this conversation and I hope you find it as fascinating as I did!

www.nebraskacasa.org

In this week's episode, Hope talks to public school behavioral counselor, Shannon Henry, about the importance of a school structure to children's mental health, the role of every Nebraskan as a mandatory reporter, the effect of Covid-19 on students and educators alike,  and the normalizing an emotional well-being protocol within the school day. 

This week Hope's conversation with Seward County Sheriff, Mike Vance, is a discussion about the differences between law enforcement in a city versus a sheriff's department covering a rural county, like Seward. We learn about community policing, fostering relationship and trust among our citizens and how we can work together to create safer communities for our children.

"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

Two helpers join Hope Dunbar on this episode of "CASA Talk" to talk about crisis recovery in a time of COVID-19. Jennifer Igo and Maricela Galmadez tell us about the work they do reaching out to Nebraskans affected by our present global pandemic, how we're all vulnerable population at this time, we are in a continuing shift of strength and vulnerability as the virus moves through our communities in different ways and how, helpers like Jennifer and Maricela, are actively reaching out to people in crisis and extending kindness, empathy and pathways to assistance. The concept of asking for help is still weighed down by stigma and they are showing up every day working to normalize help. 

In this week's episode we introduce our podcast community to Southeast Nebraska CASA's Executive Director, Marci Fehlhafer and Marci shares a little bit about her background and how she found CASA and the things she's had to overcome in the past 2 years.

Listen in, find out more about CASA, and how we're launching a Capital Campaign starting Friday October 16 and ending December 1st, 2020. Find out more and donate: www.mightycause.com/story/CASAforeverykid

This week's episode showcases the discomfort and curiosity of two people talking about systemic racism, current conditions in our communities, what we get to learn and how we get to grow. This is an imperfect conversation about race by two imperfect people. It was meant to be that way. It is a representation of two people wishing to grow, help and become better while modeling the imperfect uncomfortable way that happens. We thank you for your listening, we encourage you to seek our resources like we are doing ourselves. 

You can find out more about Carlos and his work at www.ichoosepurple.com

In this first episode of CASA Talk, host, Hope Dunbar, discusses the Network Relationship Map with Linda Kallhoff and the idea of healing a person by healing the map. We talk connection, reciprocity and the power of relationship to change a life. This episode will have you thinking more deeply about your relationship with the world, your relationship with those you meet in a thousand different ways and how human connection contains healing worth our time and focus. 

Using the Network/Relationship Map above, complete your own by filling it out accordingly:

RULE: Paid relationships do NOT go in the map

In the center circle: Identify by name the most important people in your life. List the close spiritual relationships, people you share your dreams with, people who know the skeletons in your closet. List the people who, if they left, your heart would break! Social media friends can only be listed here if they meet the above criteria.

In the outer circle: Other important relationships (friends, extended family, etc.) Think, "Family Tree." People you might invite to a significant celebration in your life (wedding, anniversary, first communion of your child, graduation party, "over the hill" birthday party). People who might show up to your funeral and be sad, people on your Christmas card list (if you do that). Social media friends may be listed if they fit the above criteria.

Upper Left quadrant: Your hobbies, interests, recreational and vocational past and present. Your causes, What you do for fun (or what you would do for fun if you had the time), what you do to relax, vacations, where you spend your weekends.

Upper Right quadrant: Civic, social and professional organizations past and present. Your religious or church affiliation and any sub-group or committee where you've helped within the organization. List all the schools you've attended (where you do have alumni status?), memberships you had during childhood or adolescence (clubs, teams, activities), and any memberships you have as a parent (soccer coach, PTA, den mother, etc.). Also, any informal social groups you are a part of - (coffee group, walking club, Friday after work friends)

Lower Left quadrant: Businesses where you spend your money. Think, "Bank Statement." Places where you are a customer and one of the employees recognizes as a regular customer or even knows your name. You might even know one or more of the employees by name. Businesses where, when you pay by check,  they won't ask you for a form of identification because they know you. 

Lower Right quadrant: All the jobs you've ever held from childhood on. (Babysitting, lawn mowing, car washing all the way through high school jobs, college jobs into adulthood). Any internships or classes that were connected to work experience. List different positions held within the same company due to promotion or restructuring or downsizing or reinvention. List subtitles you hold if you are a parent or guardian (taxi driver, tutor, chef, nurse, crisis coordinator, maid, etc). Any mentoring you've received or performed and any charities you've supported past or present.

Your map is a snapshot of your footprint in the world and how and why you are connected both intimately and distantly to potential relationships. Look at your inner and outer circles and see if there are connections from those circles out to the different quadrants. How are the quadrants connected and through whom are they connected?

What would it be like if your inner circle were empty? 

Listen as we talk about the map and the power of the map to invigorate our lives and make us healthier.

CASA Talk, a new podcast produced by Southeast Nebraska CASA, is centered around the idea of seeing and being seen. As advocates for child victims of abuse and neglect, we want to inspire our audiences to act in small ways and champion the care and safety of children in need of a voice while also exploring our shared humanity and connection.